The inner diameter to wire diameter ratio of a ring. ID / WD = AR. The values in the equation must be of the same units, either decimal inches or millimeters. The number received represents the total number of wire widths that fit in a ring's inner plane. Ring AR determines what weaves will and will not work with it. See also: minimum AR, general AR, and structural AR.

Example: If a ring's inner diameter measures .475" and its wire diameter is .080", then the equation .475/.080 is used, and the result is 5.9. (This is a 7/16" (.4375") mandrel wound ring with a 8.6% increase in inner diameter from springback.)

AWG

American Wire Gauge (see also SWG). A system used to identify the approximate wire size of mostly non-ferrous metals.

AWG

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

inch

.1018

.0907

.0808

.072

.064

.0571

.0508

.0453

.0403

.0359

.0319

.0285

.0253

.0226

.0201

.0179

.0159

.0142

mm

2.588

2.304

2.052

1.829

1.628

1.45

1.291

1.15

1.1024

.9119

.8128

.7239

.6426

.574

.5106

.4547

.4038

.3606

Not ideal for chainmail. Always measure wire and don't rely on gauge systems.

cage rings

In weaves with captive rings, those which surround and lock them in place. The term is sometimes used to describe the outside rings of weaves made with reinforced rings as well.
In the CFP6-1(C2) example displayed, the stainless steel rings make up FP6-1 cages.

captive rings

Appearing in captive weaves, rings which are held in place by sets of cage rings. As a rule, captive rings don't connect to any other rings. Exceptions occur with rings that serve a separate purpose, such as the connector rings in sheet expansions of CIR (see SCIRS, CIRS).
In the CFP6-1(C2) example displayed, the central bronze rings are held captive inside a FP6-1 chain.

Flexible material composed of small interlocking metal rings. In some cases, chainmail can be made of rings that are made from a material that is not metallic (e.g. rubber), or a combination of metal and non-metallic rings.

coil (also: wire coil)

The product of winding wire on a mandrel. Coils, which resemble springs, are cut into rings.

A sheet weave from the European, or Persian weave family with rows of rings that lean in alternating directions and follow a row and column structure. Originates with E4-1. Includes HP3S6-1, and 3QPS6-1, plus all x-y progressions, DS, P4-1S.
Displayed is HP33S6-1 which has a consistent row and column structure. Although it can be simplified to HP3-1, it's not a chain sheet.

Inner diameter (or interior diameter) is the measurement of the distance from one side of the inside of a ring to the other side. In many cases, chainmaillers will refer to the inner diameter of a ring as the size of the mandrel on which the ring was originally wound. This is a misnomer, as this value is the MD (mandrel diameter), which is lower than the ID (except under unusual circumstances*), due to springback.

*If the metal offers very little springback, the rings are saw cut, and the kerf is large enough, the ID can be the same as the MD or possibly lower.
The ring pictured has an inner diameter of .475".

inlay

An image or pattern woven into chainmail fabric (usually a sheet weave) by using rings of multiple colours and/or weaves.

mandrel

A cylindrical shaft around which wire is wound to form coils. For very small ring sizes, a piece of wire is used.

maximum AR

The largest possible aspect ratio that will work for a particular weave, above which its structure would collapse beyond the point in which the rings could be manually shifted into their proper configuration. Very few weaves have a maximum AR, JPL being one.

MD (mandrel diameter)

Mandrel diameter is the measuerment of the diameter of a mandrel in millimeters or fraction (or sometimes decimal) inches, and is almost always smaller than the ID (inner diameter).

minimum AR

Refers to the smallest possible aspect ratio that will work for a particular weave. Listed minimum AR values on this website refer to the smallest AR required to make an infinitely expandable weave. In some situations, a slightly smaller AR can be used, but the weave will lock up after a certain number of rings are added, making it impossible to continue.

OD (outer diameter)

Outer diameter is the measurement of the distance from one side of the outside of a ring to its opposite.

orbit rings

Appearing in orbital weaves, rings that orbit single rings, ring sets, or weave cells, but don't pass through the inner plane of any ring they surround. For all intents and purposes, they are still orbital rings- the distinction is necessary to differentiate orbit and orbital versions of the same weave. Typically a larger number of orbit rings are seen per cell than orbital rings in their respective weaves.
In the OrbitTR(O2) example shown, two orbit rings orbit around the sets of three connector rings of the TR chain without passing through any rings.

orbital rings

Appearing in Orbial weaves, rings that orbit connection points, but don't pass through the inner plane of any ring they surround. Orbital rings are usually under more stress than other rings, so AR reduction with multiple ring sizes is a good consideration.
In the O6-3(O1) example shown, one orbital ring orbits around the connection points of the 6-3C.

The result of a metals exposure to oxygen and other elements. Effects generally include discolouring, due to oxide buildup. The degree of this consequence varies greatly from one metal type to another, and from the amount of exposure.

pinch cut

Regarding ring closure, the result of a ring cutting method which involves stressing the metal until it breaks, creating a >< closure. Tools used to pinch cut include side cutters, end nippers, and bolt cutters (provided the cutters are not used for score-n-break).

reinforced rings

Appearing in Reinforced Japanese, Reinforced European, and Reinforced Persian weaves, rings which reinforce the base weave. Reinforcing weaves is generally an alternative to captivating them. Example: CIR would instead be BW, or RIR if the rings added to IR were reinforced instead of made captive. Example 2: CFP6-1 would be FW, IW, WW, or EW if the rings added to FP6-1 were reinforced.
In the BW(R2) example displayed, the stainless steel rings reinforce the bronze IR chain.

Regarding ring closure, the result of a ring cutting method which uses a saw blade to cut rings from the coil. A || closure is achieved. Several factors in a saw cut setup will contribute to the quality of rings produced, one of the most important of which is the thickness of the saw blade. Material is removed creating a kerf. Care must be taken to close these rings properly. Saw cut rings are the highest quality and most desirable, especially in applications where material smoothness is required, like jewelry and clothing.

score-n-break

A ring cutting method which involves marking the top and bottom of the next ring cut position on the coil with pinch cutters, then gripping the next ring to be and twisting it off. This method provides a better closure than regular pinch cut.

shear cut

Regarding ring closure, the result of a ring cutting method which uses shearing action, thus giving closures a // appearance. Aviation snips (tin snips), certain cable cutters, and other scissor-like action tools will yield shear cut rings. The quality is better than pinch cut, with only small divots at the top and bottom of the closure. Certain shear cut methods will warp rings slightly, which require more effort to properly close while weaving.

A weaving technique involving the use of both pre-closed and pre-opened rings.

springback

The tendency of a coil, once wound on a mandrel, to uncoil a bit after the tension is released. This causes it to expand slightly, making its inner diameter larger. The amount of springback varies according to metal type and hardness, MD (mandrel diameter) and WD (wire diameter), and to a lesser extent, factors such as winding speed. Article: Springback.

The range of aspect ratios for a given weave that provide little to no flexibility. This makes them more ideal for structural weaving purposes. The range of values is close to the minimum AR of a given weave.

SWG

Standard Wire Gauge (see also AWG). A system of use to identify the approximate wire size of ferrous metals.

SWG

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

inch

.128

.116

.104

.092

.080

.072

.064

.056

.048

.040

.036

.032

.028

.024

.022

.020

.018

.0164

mm

3.251

2.946

2.641

2.336

2.032

1.829

1.625

1.422

1.219

1.016

.914

.812

.711

.609

.558

.508

.457

.416

Not ideal for chainmail. Always measure wire and don't rely on gauge systems.

triplicate

Weaves that are three- or six-sided. Some are progressions of established four-sided weaves, e.g. RM is Box in triplicate form, and HC6-1 is FP6-1 in triplicate form. Other examples include RM-based TR, and IR, and IR progressions BW, and RIR. Adding additional sides yields Quad (4 or 8-sided), Quint (5 or 10-sided), Sext (6 or 12-sided), Sept (7 or 14-sided), etc. versions of these weaves.

unit

A specific design or weave segment of usually a fixed number of rings. Units can be bolted together into chains or sheets, however, these are not always weaves themselves.

WD (wire diameter)

Wire diameter is the measurement of the diameter of wire. Not to be confused with wire gauge, wire diameter is measured using decimal inches or millimetres. Calipers or a micrometer are used to obtain proper values.
The ring pictured has a wire diameter of .080".

weave

A unique and infinitely repeatable pattern of interconnected rings that expands as a sheet, cube, or chain. Weaves are characterized by the types of connections they have. Limitations on scope are the subject of debate.

A numbered method of referring to wire sizes that is commonly used in North America. There are different versions, the two most common being Standard Wire Gauge (SWG), and American Wire Gauge (AWG). Because wire gauge is not precice (and can't be used to determine AR), it should be avoided for chainmail use. Valid systems for measuring WD (wire diameter) include decimal inches and millimetres.